Game five went back to Detroit, where the Redwings would try to close out the series to take Lord Stanley's Cup. One would think that their chances were pretty good, as Pittsburgh could not seem to find the net in the previous two games played in Detroit. However, that all ended 8:37 into the first period, as Marian Hossa once again drew first blood for the Penguins. Pittsburgh then went on to build a two-goal lead in the first period as Adam Hall later scored on an unassisted shot. Pittsburgh's road woes surely had to be over.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, the guys on the other bench had been there before and, being a veteran team, did not allow the early deficit to rattle them. Quickly into the second period, Darren Helm came back for the Redwings to put them on the board. Detroit seemed to be taking control of the game, as it dictated a very fast paced game, largely spent in transition.
Two third period goals would put the Redwings up 3-2, and seemingly sealed up the championship. But if not for a goal scored by Pittsburgh's Max Talbot with thirty-five seconds left in regulation, we would be talking about a new Stanley Cup Champion right now.
After sending the game into overtime, Pittsburgh would only take two shots in the first overtime, as compared to Detroit's 13. It seemed that Detroit's veteran crew was not about to let Pittsburgh have the last word. During the second overtime Pittsburgh forward Petr Sykora would even be bold enough to predict that he would score the game winner. But, another overtime would go by without a score, as the goalies, Chris Osgood and Marc Andre-Fleury seemingly became brick walls in front of their respective nets.
The third overtime looked much like the second, a fast paced transition game with tremendous play by the goalies, until Detroit's Jiri Hudler drew a four-minute double-minor penalty for a high stick to Robert Scuderi's face. Thirty-six seconds later Pittsburgh would score on the power play to win the game. The hero that would score the game winner: Petr Sykora, as predicted.
The win offered little time to celebrate as each team took to the locker room to prepare for game six on Wednesday, June 4, another do-or-die situation for Pittsburgh, and a fleeting second chance for Detroit.
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